The News Journal from Wilmington, Delaware • Page 1

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DtU Pai tl. FltL SERVICE OF THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, UNITED PRESS AND INTERNATIONAL NEWS SERVICE Price Three Cents Evening JenraaJ Feonded IMS Eltj EveDlni Eaanded 1(171 Vol. 12 No. 134 Evening Joarnal tad Ever? EvvBlag Consolidated Jan. J.

1S33 26 Pages Wilmington, Delaware, Tuesday, June 6, 1944 fo) a rn ffu LtQAaLIvJ ILp IV LU tMMMaMHaJ imnaf Imiiifiri iiriiriliif Vinrm Nofmandnji From Cherbourg to Le Havre, Allied Invasion Troops Have Stormed Into France trumuuin jr HARwioWiT-- WNorth Sear den leeuwardett- rJCHsSH WEYMOUTH CO! tTU A La DTAM NETHERLANDS PORTSMOUTH Afi ir aa a tACTCon a ii H. I MEPPEL German Opposition Slight; Casualties 'Extremely Small' Invasion Delayed One Day hy Bad Weather; Warships Silence Coastal Batteries; Luftwaffe Fails to Attack; Beachheads Speedily Consolidated JUL LEIDEN FOLK TrKir -o ZW01LE haitinch NafemoS ROTTERDAM -1ST r.r- BRUGES OSTENDE-. HERTOGEBOSCH I 1 cherbourg! nuco xgsssgjgi a GHENT fcYPRES ti iDkiuni IT MONTREUIl ITS- IffMiTE--- -4, BETHUNEArel'it 1- MAUNH ISIGNY til -4. ff.fP!lS Jhavre fABBEVIHI ABBEVIllI ICOUTANCES BAYEUX rBOLBEC aVy rltNNES 10UVAIN HASSEL' AMIENS I 4aMONS, ZJr rt I CAMERA! V. -T.

UEGElL iasseltk neufchatel GIADBACH GRANVILLE DUESSELOORF 171 rc A i iii CAEN NAMUR USIEUX AV MAUBEUGE VCHARLEROI AACHEN -COLOGNI ElBEUFe7'-r A HUY 1 .3: jrv T7 BERNAYf "5 RCA VA I sV- C1(e MONT GERMANY fMARCHE I I RENNES 1 COMPIEGNE --s3s5apiai 'I, y-Ny'TRE Small Advance Parties First City to Ask By Associated Press SUPREME HEADQUARTERS, Allied Expeditionary Force, June 6. Allied forces landed in the Normandy area of northwest France today and have thrust several miles inland against unexpectedly slight German opposition and with losses much smaller than had been anticipated. The grand assault scheduled for yesterday but postponed until today because of bad weather found the highly-vaunted German defenses much less formidable in every department than had been feared. Airborne troops who led the assault before daylight on a history-making 'scale suffered "extremely small" losses in the air, headquarters disclosed tonight, even though the great plane fleets extended across 200 miles of sky and used navigation lights to keep formation. Naval Losses Small Naval losses for the vseaborne forces were described at headquarters as "very, very small," although 4,000 ships and severai thousand smaller craft participated in taking the American, Canadian; and British troops to France.

Coastal batteries were virtually silenced by the guns of the British, American, and Allied fleets, including battleships, and the beachheads were speedily consolidated. The German radio said the scene of the landings was a 100-mile stretch of coast from Cherbourg to Le Havre, around the bay of the Seine and the northeast shore of the Normandy peninsula. More Landings Due Britain's Prime Minister Churchill, in announcing the success- 4000 Fesses Carry Allied Army Across Channel to France To Leave England in Invasion jq Aid Eisenhower Tells Europe 1 be ratient Final Preparation Carried Out Quietly Without jT Aroinin Sliililrt Atlrnliort Amnnor Gi ilian; i JL Jl JL A 11 vasion Troop at Starting Point for Wrek to Row General IJrpr a I i To Avoid Anv Prrmaturp Qiurcliill Tells Qieering House Allied Drive Proceeding According to Plan; 11,000 Planes Available Heads At 1 Work in Silent O'CJock; to Pause Prayer Traffic Rricflv Uprising; Say Hp Will Give Sijntal for Artion WASHINGTON. June fi flJ.R). A War Department report from "a front line town" on the coast of England said today that the jumping off of Allied troops for the invasion of Europe "began in a small way" from that point.

"First, several advance parties of the assault troop marched into the landing stages of this port, cla moored aboard the blunt-nosed assault craft and a little later climbed on LONTXJN, June 6 (JF). Prime Minister Churchill told a cheering House of Commons today that the Allied liberating assault upon Hitler's European stronghold was "proceeding according to plan and u-hat plan!" SUPREME ADQUARTERS, i ALLIED EXFEDITTONARY FORCE, June 8 G-n. Isi2ht D. Eisen-, howe th supreme Allird com- been i mander, went on the air this In tones of confidence hr reported that the Allied forces had Wilmington ians will bow their heads in a minute of silent prayer at 4 o'clock this afternoon with a deep sense of humility and a firm awareness that today the future of jthe world hangs in balance, Upon the request of Mayor Albert James, all traffic and work are i ful invasion to the House of Commons at noon six hours after the first seaborne troops landed said the landings were "the first of a series." Churchill disclosed that 11,000 Allied planes were available I as needed for the battle. The Allied bombers, climaxing 96 hours of steady pounding, lashed German coastal defenses this morning transported across the channel to the shores of France by "an immense armada" of 4,000 ships with several 11,000 Planes Blast German Defense Lines thousand smaller craft "probably the larger craft swinging at anchor farther out In the harbor," the re- port said.

"Second, gangs of service troops began loading the rations that, will sustain the task force while seaborne between England and the European continent. "An officer aid that there were! enough ration put aboard LCI's to, la-st eight days, plus one day of i emergency combat rations." None of the food loaded by the i service troops was intended for use on the beaches after the assault troops land. For the first day ofi land operations, eacn soldier has! ion day, telling the peoples of Europe the grand assault on the, continent had begun and "all; patriots, young and old, will have a part to play in the liberation." He pleaded against premature up-i risings, saying, "Be patient, prepare. Wait until I give yoi the signal." Earlier in the day the BBC 1 had broadcast communique No. 1 1 from invasion headquarters, first in English and then in French and immediately thereafter sounded an General fIke' Sees Armada Off to France with 10.000 tons of explosives.

Fighters who went out to guard the beaches had little to do, however, as the German air force up till noon had flown only 50 sorties against the invading forces. The Germans were known to have probably 1,750 fighters and 500 bombers to meet the attack. Why they did not use them at the to pause heightening the solemnity of the day of liberation as thousands of Americans and their Allies are blasting open the gates of Fortress Europe. During that minute of silent Ihic Aerial Armada Striken Through Clourl; Nazi A i rcra Ahsenl prayer as in the moments of! tne start was not apparent, but Allied airmen warned that a violent worship since dawn today SUPREME HEADQUARTERS, thoughts of every one turn to the Delaware men who are among the crusading forces of Eisenhower. "alert" to the peoples of Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium Denmark.

French people were told addition- EisenhoMer Told Pre, Radio Invasion Date In Conference Monday been Issued one day's emergency i Allied Expeditionary Force, June 6 iauoiut. Ainr inav ume. iieia Through the greatest fleet ever assembled." Mass air-borne landings also have been successfully effected behind the enemy's lines, he said. "There are already hopes that actual tactical surprise has been attained," he continued, "and we hope to furnish the enemy with a succession of during the course of the fighting. "The battle which is now beginning will grow constantly in scale and in intensity for many weeks to come and 1 snan not attempt to speculate upon its course.

"The landings on 'he beaches are proceeding at various points at the present time." Churchill said. "The fire of shore batteries has been largely quelled." He said that "obstacles which were constructed in the sea have not proved so difficult as was apprehended." The prime minister said the American-British Allies are sus- a rolling ocean of streaming across the channel, closer I clouds 5,000 feet thick Allied air to the heart of Nazi Europe and (See EISENHOWER ra if 6) forces threw 11,000 aircraft of almost 0ILthe to victory Even as Mayor James proclaimed Horse Ra On; acme Kiicnens wiu oe in operation, ana hot food served, the War Department promised. These final preparations were carried out "very quietly and without tension" by the Army and Navy, "almost under the noses of the civilian populace of this town without attracting the slightest bit of attention," the Army dispatch said. The report said that the assembly areas along the British coastline (See TAKE OFF Pape 2) every type into the grand invasion of Europe today, bombing and strafing miles of Normandy's beaches and flying inland to break the enemy's communications. Two things stood out in the air operations launched in support of the landings in northern France.

his request, thousands of Wilming-tonians were at prayer in the city churches whose doors were flung open and church bells tolled out the news of D-Day. The "cue" for the minute of silent prayer is to be given by factory and fire sirens and by Station WDEL. The station itself wrhich had cancelled its regular program and substituted invasion news, will also be silent. "At this moment," Mayor James proclaimed, "when every one's heart (See MAYOR ASKS Page 6) The first was the mass of airplanes (See CHTRCHILL Page 2) the Allies were able to put Into the sky in weather described as "just fair." reaction might be expected soon, noting that Hermann Goering in an order of the day had told his airforces, "the invasion must be beaten off even if the Luftwaffe perishes." Nazis Admit Penetrations German broadcasts said the Allies penetrated several kilometers in between Caen and Isigny, which are 35 miles apart and respectively nine and two miles from the sea. German opposition apparently was less effective than expected, although fierce in many respects, and the Germans said they were bringing reinforcements continuously up to the coast, where "a battle for life or death is in progress." An optimistic air pervaded this headquarters over the smooth manner in which was launched the great crusade to liberate Nazi-enslaved Europe, a crusade in which the supreme commander.

Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, told his men, "We will accept nothing les3 than full victory. Prime Minister Churchill told Commons tonight, that Allied troops had penetrated in some cases several miles after their effective landings on a broad front, and happily asserted, "many dangers and difficulties which this time last night appeared extremely formidable are behind us." Going According To Plan He and all other sources agreed that the operation was going according to plan. The Air Forces, to which he paid high tribute for their work in smashing coastal defenses, estimated that between midnight and 8 a.

m. alone more than 31,000 airmen were over France, not counting parachute and glider troops. The Paris radio broadcast a report that ''a last-minute flash Gtv Sailor Succumbs The other was the absence of Ger ALLIED ADVANCED COMMAND POST IN ENGLAND, June 6 (). Gen. Dwight D.

Eisenhower stood on a rooftop on invasion eve and watched a mighty airborne armada form in the sky and wing its way toward France and the beginning of the final phase of the war of liberation. The supreme commander radiated a calm confidence contagious to those about him. He spent the greater part of the day among the troops, seaborne and airborne, walking from group to group chatting and laughing with the men. At 2:30 p. Monday, Eisenhower met with a small group of British and American press and radio representatives her.e.

He told us that the Invasion of Europe would be launched Tuesday and the machinery was already in motion. We were Informed the operation would be the largest of its type ever (See GENERAL IKE Page 2) man resistance. Ball Game Tonight Delaware Park is not closed today D-Day. The races are on definitely. Officials of the Stanton track announced that all purses and distribution to horsemen will be increased today by 50 per cent which will be paid in war bonds.

The Wilmington Blue Rocks-St. Louis Cardinals baseball game tonight at Wilmington Park will go on as scheduled. D-Day will be observed 'with a brief ceremony at the Rocks-Cardinal game. A moment of silence will be followed by the playing of the national anthem. The game will start as scheduled 8:45 o'clock.

The track management Issued the following announcement today: "Delaware Park on this grave day announces its war bond distribution to horsemen, and purses will be increased 50 per cent all in war bonds. On Saturday, at the time of the false alarm, a meeting was held of our highest civil and military authorities, together with the racing commissioners and track officials. It was decided that closing our race track on D-Day wouldn't help but that carrying on would help. We are working and carrying on." More than 1,000 American Liberators and Fortresses In one phase of the attack unloaded probably 3,000 (See BOMBINGS Page 2) i Reuters Says Hitler Directing Nazi Defense LONDON, June 6 (INS) The military correspondent of Reuters news agency reported today that Adolf Hitler is taking personal command From Food Poisoning Mrs. Sydney Galbraith, 206 West Twenty-sixth Street, has received a telegram notifying her of the death of her husband, a machinist's mate first class in the Navy SeaBees in the South Pacific, from acute food poisoning.

He entered the service last September and went overseas in January. Previously he had been employed at the DuPont Company's Deep-water plant, and later at the General Chemical Company. He leaves four children from 10 to 17 years of age, Robert, Kenneth, Marvin and Leland. His parents, Mr. and Mrs.

Clair Galbraith of Monument, Pa, also survive. Col. George J. Schulz Returning From Pacific CoL George J. Schulz of Hartly, former commanding officer of the 198th Coast Artillery A.

A. Regiment, is on his way home from the South Pacific. Word of his return was received today by Paul R. Rinard, the adjutant general. Roger H.

Holt, Gordon Heights, who was executive officer of the 198th Coast Artillery, and who was cited for bravery in a beach island landing against Jap forces in the South Pacific, is also on his way home. He has reached the Pacific Coast and is expected here in a few days. Games Postponed National League Philadelphia at Brooklyn, D-Day. De Gaulle in Britain; Meets With Churchill LONDON, June 6 (IP). Gen.

Charles de Gaujle has arrived In Britain and already has conferred with Prime Minister Churchill, it was disclosed today shortly after announcement of the Allied invasion of France. De Gaulle's arrival had been kept secret for military reasons. He made the trip from Algiers to discuss the status of his French Committee of National Liberation which several days ago designated itself as the provisional government of France. of all German anti-invasion opera In Today's Paper tions. Hitler is surrounded by his staff, including four field marshals, and is believed to have moved his headquarters to some place in northern France.

DELAWARE PARK Entries and Selections, Page 16 President Will Lead Nation In Prayer on Radio Tonight D-Day Chronolog By Associated Press Page Amusement 19 Answers to Questions 8 Classified 23-24-25 Comic 20 Colbertsm on Contract 18 Death Notices 21 Editorials Financial 21 Obitnary 21 Radio 23 Sports 22 Society 19-11 With Hunters Afiflers 23 Women's Interests 18 from the battlefield" early tonight announced "a vicious battle is raging north of Rouen between powerful Allied paratroop formations and German anti-invasion forces." Rouen is 41 miles inland, east of Le Havre. The seaborne Allied troops, led by Gen. Sir Bernard L. Montgomery, surged across the channel from England by 4,000 regular ships and additional thousands of smaller craft. They were preceded by massed flights of parachute and glider forces who landed inland during the dark.

Eleven thousand planes supported the attack. The German radio said the landings were made from Cherbourg to Le Havre a strip of coast roughly 100 miles long and later said additional landings were being made "west of Cherbourg. indicating that the Allies intended to seize the Normandy peninsula with its ports and airdromes as the first base of their campaign to destroy the power of Nazi Germany. Normandy Locale Confirmed The initial landings were made from 6 to 8:25 a. British time (midnight to 2:25 a.

E. W. The Germans said subsequent landings were made on the English Channel isles of Jersey and Guernsey and that invasion at new points on the continent was expected hourly. Aside from confirming that Normandy was the general area of (See INVASION Page 2) Weather Unsettled Over Dover Strait A Invasion Opens LONDON, June 6 (IP). The sun broke through heavy clouds at times in the Dover Strait area this first day of the Allied invasion of western Europe.

After a daybreak shower there was sunshine, but later banks of heavy clouds swept up from the northwest. There were further sunny periods, although the outlook was lesi "settled. The- wind had blown fairly hard during the night, but lost some of its strength after dawn. A moderate sea was running. war time, tonight, but its text was issued at midday to permit Americans to familiarize themselves with its wording so that they might Join him in the recital.

Mr. Roosevelt dispatched the prayer to the House by motorcycle messenger, and it was read on the floor shortly after Dr. James Shera Montgomery, House chaplain, departed from custom to ask members to join him in the opening invocation. Again the members stood, this time in silent prayer. At its con- (See PRESIDENT Page 2) WASHINGTON, June 8 (JP).

President Roosevelt called upon a hopeful nation today to join him in a prayer for divine aid in speeding the invasion to victory and "a peace that will let all men live in freedom, reaping the just rewards of their honest toil." The Chief Executive wrote the prayer last night as he sat up late at the blacked out White House to hear up-to-the-mihute reports on progress of the great battle of liberation. He will read it over a nationwide broadcast at 10 p. eastern 12:37 A. M. (Eastern War Time) German news agency Transocear broadcasts that Allied invasion has begun.

1:00 A. M. German DNB agency broadcasts Le Havre being bombarded violently and German naval craft fighting Allied landing craft off coast. 1:56 A. Calais radio says "This is D-Day." 2:31 A.

M. Spokesman from General Eisenhower In broadcast from London warns people of European Invasion coast that "a new phase of the Allied air offensive has begun" and orders them to move 22 miles Inland. 3:29 A. M. Berlin radio says "First center of gravity is Caen," big city base of Normandy peninsula.

3:32 A. M. Supreme headquarters, Allied expeditionary force, announces that Allied armies began landing on northern coast of France. 3:40 A. M.

SHAEF announces Gen. Sir. Bernard L. Montgomery Is in command of assault army comprising Americans. British, Canadians.

(See CHRONOLOGY Page 2) INVASION NEWS r- on pages z-s-to-o-f THIS EDITION OF.